May 17–24 live war map: largest drone attack targets Moscow, defenses falter near Pokrovsk

Will there be a buffer zone in the Sumy and Kharkiv region?

Putin announced the creation of a 20-30 km buffer zone on the northern border of the Sumy and Kharkiv regions. However, neither the number of troops of the Russian Armed Forces nor their activity indicates that this order will be carried out immediately. Currently, fairly localized combat operations are taking place in the Sumy region, in an area 15 km wide, west of the Sudzha – Sumy highway. Here, the Russian troops are trying to advance deeper into Ukraine in two directions. Along the riverbeds of the Loknya and Snahist rivers, the Russian army managed to expand the gray zone, and it is already attacking from Veselivka towards Vodolahy, from Zhuravka towards Bilovody, and from Basivka towards Loknya. Active battles are currently ongoing for the last two villages, but the Russians have not yet managed to gain a foothold there. Their main goal is not only to reach the highway to Sudzha and cut it off, but also to occupy the commanding heights in the Yunakivka area. In April-May, the enemy managed to wedge into our territory to a depth of 6-9 km. And this is despite the fact that the Kursk grouping of Russian troops numbers about 70,000 soldiers, and the number of clashes consistently ranks 2nd or 3rd among all front sectors.

Ukraine Russia war live map, May 17-24, Photo: Espreso

At the same time, the Defense Forces still continue to hold the border strip on the territory of the Russian Federation, 20 km east of the Sumy – Sudzha highway. Fighting also continues on the outskirts of Tetkino. Here, the Ukrainian Armed Forces not only hold the southwestern part of the border settlement, but also try to encircle its defenders, breaking through the border in the area of the villages of Budki and Novy Put. At the same time, Ukraine carried out the evacuation of two nearby towns – Vorozhba and Bilopillia, which are 10 km from the border, understanding that the fighting could affect the local population. However, there is no reason to believe that Russia will launch a major offensive on Sumy, and therefore Putin's statement is another information special operation by the Russians.

Meanwhile, a significant accumulation of enemy troops is recorded on the Kharkiv border, which indicates that the combat zone here may soon expand, and not only near Vovchansk.

Ukraine Russia war live map, May 17-24, Photo: Espreso

Offensive on Kostiantynivka accelerated

In a week, the Russian forces occupied more than 50 square kilometers on the Kostiantynivka front – this is the fastest advance since the beginning of the year. And worst of all, they managed to ensure a fairly low level of their losses per 1 square kilometer. Thus, in this area, the Ukrainian Armed Forces eliminated 88 invaders in May, although on average on the front in previous months – 130, and in March-April – more than 200.

The Russians have already occupied 12 km of the Pokrovsk – Kostiantynivka highway and continue to break through north from Novooleksandrivka to Yablunivka, where the Ukrainian Armed Forces will try to stabilize the front. 15 km remain to the outskirts of Kostiantynivka. Despite the fact that the Defense Forces managed to hold part of Malynivka and not allow Putin's forces to continue the offensive on Myrnohrad. Although the Russians advanced in the direction of Myroliubivka and began to seize territory around Yelyzavetivka, where our defenders found themselves in a semi-encirclement, and therefore will soon leave these positions.

Ukraine Russia war live map, May 17-24, Photo: Espreso

At the same time, the Russians significantly expanded the zone of their control to the west and north of Nova Poltavka, in the direction of the recently evacuated villages of the Druzhkivka community. In fact, Russia continues to deepen into Ukrainian territory and creates an opportunity for itself to enter the rear of Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka. It needs this primarily to cut off logistical arteries, and therefore to prepare for a full-fledged siege. Although the Russians will not be able to attack two cities at the same time – they will have to choose where the situation will be more favorable for them.

At the same time, the invaders had made minor advances on Kostiantynivka from the direction of Avdiivka and Toretsk. In particular, the enemy managed to gain a foothold in part of the village of Romanivka. In the event of a complete occupation, this will allow the Russian Armed Forces to continue moving north and enter the flank of Ukrainian defenders in Shcherbynivka and Toretsk. From the other flank, the Russians advanced 1 km east of Toretsk, in the area of the village of Dachne.

Novopavlivka front holds the line

Despite the fact that this section of the front has risen to second place in terms of the number of battles over the past three weeks, the Russians have not achieved significant success here. Although they have repeatedly claimed that they are about to reach the Dnipropetrovsk region, their rate of advance is only a few hundred meters per week. Over the past seven days, Russia has occupied the gray zone between Nadiivka and Novooleksandrivka, where they have managed to establish a foothold. In addition, the Russians are now attempting to advance on Novomykolaivka, which is located right on the administrative border between the Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Currently, the gray zone has expanded by 2.5 km in the direction of the village, but their assault motorized units have not yet managed to secure a position there. Fighting continues in Kotliarivka—the Russians have not advanced a single meter here, even though Moscow’s information campaign about the capture of the Dnipropetrovsk region is gaining momentum, so Putin’s forces will continue to push westward.

Ukraine Russia war live map, May 17-24, Photo: Espreso

On the southern flank of the Novopavlivka front, the enemy did manage to achieve a certain breakthrough. They have completely occupied Novodarivka, passed by Novopillia at the boundary of responsibility between two units, and rushed into Zelene Pole, where they have entrenched themselves on the southern streets of the village. Fierce fighting is ongoing in Novopillia, as holding these positions gives hope for a successful breakthrough by our soldiers who found themselves encircled east of the village. On the other hand, the enemy’s rapid breakthrough leaves the Ukrainian Armed Forces with an opportunity for a counteroffensive and to cut off the attacking salient. The situation in this area is currently changing dynamically.

Ukraine Russia war live map, May 17-24, Photo: Espreso

Battle for Bahatyr

For the third week, the Defense Forces have been fighting for Ukraine’s extremely important fortified area in Bahatyr. Putin’s forces have repeatedly claimed full occupation of the village, while the Armed Forces of Ukraine as recently as last week assured that they control 95% of the territory. In recent days, the situation here has changed significantly, and the enemy’s presence is now noticeable almost everywhere, but the Defense Forces also still hold part of the streets. Numerous counterattacks are taking place on both sides, and the situation is changing rapidly. This week has allowed not only for the possible preparation of a withdrawal from Kostiantynopil, but also for the defense of Odradne—the next fortified area on the Russians’ path.

Ukraine Russia war live map, May 17-24, Photo: Espreso

Largest attack on Moscow

For the fourth day, an attack on Moscow is ongoing, affecting not only all four capital airports but also 14 other regions along the way, so to speak. The Russian military leadership claims that the Armed Forces of Ukraine used at least 500 drones. At this point, the consequences of the attack can only be assessed preliminarily, as there is not yet complete information. It is known for certain that we managed to hit several strategically important military factories that produced components for missiles and drones. Strikes on oil refining complexes have also resumed, despite a previous supposed agreement that prohibited this. The Russians, in turn, again used ballistic missiles against the Odesa port.

Ukraine Russia war live map, May 17-24, Photo: Espreso

The maps were created based on information received from the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ General Staff, as well as from other open and verified sources. At the same time, the maps are not maximally accurate and only conditionally reflect trends in the combat zone.